Martime Ringlet (Coenonympha nipisiquit)

Description: Maritime Ringlet is very similar to Common Ringlet. Both sexes are more darkly colored than the same sex in Common Ringlet, however female Maritime Ringlets are just slightly paler than male Common Ringlets. Maritime Ringlet is browner beneath than Common Ringlet. The best way to distinguish these two species is by habitat association and flight period. Maritime Ringlet flies from late July to early August and rarely strays from its salt marsh habitat. Common Ringlet flies from early June to late July, with a second brood in mid August and can be found in a variety of field habitats. Wingspan: 32 to 36 mm.

Maritime Distribution: The entire global range is limited to a handful of salt marshes in New Brunswick and Quebec around Chaleur Bay. For Atlas results click here.

Provincial Ranks: NB: S1. NS: -. PEI: -.

Flight Period: Late July to late August.

Host Plant: Salt-Meadow Cordgrass (Spartina patens).

Notes: The Maritime Ringlet is one of Canada’s few endemic species. It is listed as Endangered both federally and provincially because of its limited global range and the sensitivity of its saltmarsh habitat to threats like sea level rise. Where it is found it is usually common, and owing to its propensity to visit Sea Lavender (Limonium carolinianum) flowers, easy to observe.